TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — AT Powerful mindschildren don’t just ride horses; they learn responsibility, gain confidence and develop important life skills.

The program, which began in 2022 with weekly offerings, has since expanded to offer five to six days of classes per week, combining enrichment programs with an agricultural environment, including horseback riding lessons.

KGUN 9 visited the program on a Thursday morning, where a group of home-schooled children worked together, pushing wheelbarrows, feeding animals and participating in hands-on tasks that taught them teamwork and patience.

When asked what students learn at Mighty Minds, student Etta responded, “Be gentle with animals,” while holding up a chicken.

Maria Staubs

For Carrie Mizenko, the creator of Mighty Minds, this mission is deeply personal.

“I have ADHD and I think most of our teachers have ADHD. We love being outside and moving,” Mizenko explained. “So that’s one of our goals: to work with this community of kids who don’t necessarily fit into a traditional school but don’t need a complete ABA-type program.”

The program focuses heavily on social-emotional learning, providing a supportive environment for children with special needs to interact and grow.

“They learn to work hard to get results and it takes a lot of work,” Mizenko said.

Parent KC Weinmann explained how this has benefited his son, saying, “My son has special needs and is free to be who he is and learn the best way possible. »

Each day follows a different schedule. Thursdays at Mighty Minds are especially interesting, as children participate in visits from “Mr. Nature”, who introduces them to outdoor education through music.

The morning also features a parent educator who works with staff and parents on positive parenting and resetting their nervous systems.

“She helps me a lot on how to have positive reinforcement on the farm with the kids, how to deal with big emotions, how to validate the kids,” Mizenko said.

Maria Staubs

Rachael Day, an instructor, helps students with breathing exercises and warm-ups before riding.

“If you’re riding a horse and you’re like, ‘Oh my God, I’m so anxious,’ that horse will be anxious, too,” Day said. “We kind of get the kids out of their heads, have them do these exercises.”

Looking ahead, Mighty Minds is expanding its offerings with plans to create a non-profit outdoor education micro-school.

Mizenko said the program would include a range of subjects, including music, science and the arts, with plans to add Spanish and sign language classes.

They are currently seeking donations to build classes and teachers, including a mindfulness instructor to help children regulate their emotions and express themselves in positive ways.

Mizenko added that they applied for non-profit status under the name Center for an Inclusive Community.

“Our goal is to have a place by the fall of 2025 where they can come four days a week and be dropped off,” she said.

Activities on the farm will continue through Mighty Minds, while the educational component will be offered through the new center.